“The Watch Word is Elgin: Timemakers and Timekeepers” – Promotional Booklet Introducing the Veritas Model by the Elgin National Watch Company

Shortly after the introduction of the new 18-Size railroad movements in 1901, the Elgin National Watch Company distributed a promotional booklet titled, “The Watch Word is Elgin: Timemakers and Timekeepers.” This booklet served as an informational and marketing tool, taking the reader on a journey starting with an effective sales pitch lauding the new Elgin watches for railroad service and ending with full-page advertisements for each grade in the new product line.

On these pages, the reader has a first glimpse of the innovative movement designs and full description of each style (differences between grades noted in bold text below).

VERITAS MODEL
No. 214

Open face, lever set. Nickel. Twenty-three extra fine ruby jewels (raised gold settings); adjusted to temperature, isochronism and positions; quick train with gold wheels; straight line double roller escapement with steel escape wheel; poised pallet and fork; pallet arbor and escape pinion cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled; exposed pallets; compensating balance; Breguet hairspring, micrometric regulator; patent safety barrel, with spring box rigidly mounted on bridge; barrel arbor pivots running in jewels; display winding work; patent recoiling click; patent self-locking setting device; double-sunk glass-enamel dial; dust ring; plates beautifully damaskeened; carefully timed, and parts finely finished throughout.

VERITAS MODEL
No. 239

Open face, lever set. Nickel. Twenty-one fine ruby jewels (raised gold settings); adjusted to temperature, isochronism and positions; quick train with gold wheels; straight line escapement with steel escape wheel; pallet arbor and escape pinion cone-pivoted and cap-jeweled; exposed pallets; compensating balance; Breguet hairspring, micrometric regulator; patent safety barrel, with spring box rigidly mounted on bridge; display winding work; patent recoiling click; patent self-locking setting device; double-sunk, glass-enamel dial; dust ring; plates damaskeened; carefully timed, and finely finished throughout.

VERITAS MODEL
B.W. RAYMOND
No. 240

Open face, lever set. Nickel. Nineteen fine ruby jewels (raised gold settings); adjusted to temperature, isochronism and positions; quick train with gold wheels; straight line escapement with steel escape wheel; exposed pallets; compensating balance; Breguet hairspring, micrometric regulator; patent safety barrel, with spring box rigidly mounted on bridge; barrel arbor pivots running in jewels; display winding work; patent recoiling click; patent self-locking setting device; double-sunk, glass-enamel dial; dust ring; damaskeened plates; carefully timed, and finely finished throughout.

The full promotional booklet introducing the Model 8 grades can be viewed in its entirety online: https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/guide/company/elgin/catalogs/elgin-watch-co-timemakers-and-timekeepers-c.1904